Apparatus for chemically combining gases.



D. R. LOVEIOYL APPARATUS FOR GHEMIGALLY COMBINING GASES. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, 1 03.

Patentd Nov. 17,1908.

heat of the arcs, the

outrun sTArns ra'rnnr carton DIMMITT R. LOVEJOY, OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

' TO WALTER F. BRADLEY, TRUSTEE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

' APPARATUS FOR CHEMICALLY COMBINING GASES.

Patented Nov. 1'7, 1903.

Application filed February 18, 1903. Serial No. 143,975.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DIMMrrT R..LovnJoY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niagara Falls, in the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Chemically Combining Gases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for effecting the union or chemical action of gases by the agency of electric arcs formed within or in connection with a chamber in which are contained the mixedv gases to be chemically combined. In U.v S. Letters Patent No. 709,867, issued to C. S. Bradley and D. R. Lovejoy, September 30, 1902, and in my application No. 109,443, filed May 29, 1902, is described apparatus for this purpose in which a series of electrodes is moved past another series of elec trodes oppositely charged to a high tension, so as to successively form, elongate, and break arcs between such electrodes, within a chamber in which the mixed gases to be united are confined.

It will be apparent'that in cases where chemical compounds are formed by the action of electric arcs on gases as for instance in the formation of oxids of nitrogen, that the heat of the arcs operates in two ways to reduce and limit the amount of chemical combination andeven break up such compounds when formed. In the first place since the temperature of the gaseous mixture is as a whole considerably increased by the vapor tension of the compounds formed is increased in a like proportion and inasmuch as it is probable that the amount of such compounds formed bears a definite relation to the tension ofits vapor as related to the tensions of the unconverted gases, it will be evident that if the compound or compounds formed are readily condensible or liquefiable at low temperature as compared with the unconverted gases (which is equivalent to saying that their vapor tensions are more rapidly reduced with reduction of temperature) that such compounds will be more abundantly formed at lower temperatures than at high temperatures and that if the temperature of the whole gaseous mixture be reduced to the point of liquefaction or still better of solidification of the compounds formed that such compounds will be more rapidly, easily and paratus by abundantly atures. In the second place if the temperature of the whole mass of gases were allowed to rise, due to the heat of the arcs; a point would be reached at which the com. pounds would sufier dissociation after hav ing been formed and with consequent loss of efliciency. Therefore taking these two causesinto consideration it is clear that if the temperature be allowed to rise, ti1e-eiii= ciency of production is materially interfered.

with and that on the contrary if the temperature be reduced the operations will be conducted to much greater advantage. In order to obviate this lnjurious effect of heat, my present improvement consists in means for subjecting the gases to artificial refriger ation either preliminary to or simultaneously with the action of the electric arcs.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have shown, diagrammatically, two forms of apwhich my invention may carried into effect in the difierent ways above indicated.

Figure l is a diagrammatic longitudinal section of an apparatus adapted for subjecting the mixed gases to refrigeration, immediately before their admission to the chambar where they are subjected to the effect of electric arcs successively formed, elongated and broken, as described in. my prior application No. 109,443, hereinbefore referred to. Fig. .2 is a similar View in which the gases are subjected to the refrigerating action within the chamber through which they are formed than at higher tempertheir subjection to the effect of such electrip arcs.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 represents a cylinder having numerous fixed electrodes 2 projecting from its inner periphery. a shaft mounted centrally and rotating within the cylinder 1 and carrying a number of movable electrodes 4 connected mechanically 3 represents" and electrically with the said shaft. 5 represents the induction pipe for admission of fresh mixed gases, (atmospheric air, for example), and 6, 6, outlet ducts for the removal of the nitrogen compounds formed 7 indicates an exhaust fan to illustrate suitable means for causing the flow of gases through the chamber; 8 a suitable source of hi tension electric currents, either unidirectional or altcmiati-ng,

under/the treatment.

and 9a series of inductances or choke-coils each having one terminal connected individually to the fixed electrodes 2"a'nd, in practice,;having their other terminals groupedtogether and connected to one pole of the generator 8, the circuit being completedby connecting the shaft 3, by means of afconductor with the other pole of the generatdr 8. The shaft 3 is preferably mounted in insulating bearings 10 and 11 at "top and'bottom as described in in prior application, and the stationary eectrodes 2 mounted in tubes or bushings 14 of porcelain or other insulatin material set in packings in the cylinder a apt/ed to prevent thepassage of gas and also Ito permit the radial adjustment of the fixed electrodes 2 relatively to the electrodes 4 which revolve in proximity to such stationary electrodes. 61

' represents a chamber in the induction pipe 5 :coil a refrigerating agent is caused to flow as before described, so as to cool the entire cylinder and the body of mixed gas therein during action of the electric, arcs on said gases.

My present improvement also relates to the subjecting of gases to refrigerating action in conjunction with the combined action of electric discharges and independent radiant energy from any suitable source of such energy. In application, Serial No.

' 143,974, filed my me February 18,- 1903, I

have shown and described a suitable source of such energy, in conpinction wlth electric discharges to eflect or eliminate chemical union of said gases p The temperature of the air is referably reduced to about that of solidi cation of the formation of oxids of nitrogemb means of electric discharges in the form 0 arcs, it is also applicable to the formation of other compounds and also in combinations with electrical discharges in the form of sparks or silent discharges.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a combining chamber, electrodes mounted within the said. chamber, means for rapidly forming elongating, and extinguishing arcs between said electrodes, means forconducting gases into the influence of said arcs, and means for either liquefying or solidifying the gases as desired.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a combinin chamber, electrodes mounted within sai chambers, means for rapidly forming, elongating and extinguishing arcs between the said electrodes, means for conducting gases into the influence. of said arcs, a refrigerating means in the path of the gases on their way to said combining chamber, and means for either liquefying, or solidif ing the gases as desired while underthe in uence of said arcs.

n. R. LovEJoY.

. Witnesses:

CLAUDE K. MILLS, WM. GIBLING. 

